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By Miriam Raftery
April 26, 2011 (Escondido)--Frank and Georgi Greiner from Hacienda de los Gitanos ranch in Ramona showed off a prized gypsy horse inside a gypsy camp at Felicita Park in Escondido—all part of a week-long Renaissance Faire that ended Sunday.
The event, produced by Gold Coast Festivals, attracted a large crowd of merrymakers who mixed and mingled with re-enactors from the days of knights and chivalry, as Queen Elizabeth reigned over the festivities.
Guests cheered lustily for rebel forces in a staged battle, where knights defended their kingdom. Nearby, buccaneers and wenches populated a pirate’s camp complete with swordplay, rum, and treasures.
Visitors feasted on fare such as turkey legs and crepes, also browsing through stalls laden with wares for shoppers to take home treasures of their ow
n, from bejeweledy rings to tricorn hats and scabbards.
Period attire included complete outfits for around $99 complete with corsets and bust-boosting bodices; another booth featured a model displaying a decidedly contemporary application of chain mail.
Musicians played recorders, lutes and lyres. A juggler amused crowds with tricks and bawdy humor, while Merlin the magician cast an enchanting image alongside a pair of white cockatoos.
Many visitors got into the spirit by donning costumes of their own, from peasants to noblemen, gypsy lasses to ladies in full Shakespearean attire.
A grand time was had by all—from Her Majesty the Queen on down to the littlest knight.
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